Catalonia news independence

Here are some recent news articles and updates on the independence movement in Catalonia:

Recent Developments:

• On September 27, 2020, the Spanish Supreme Court sentenced nine Catalan separatist leaders to prison terms ranging from 9 to 13 years for their roles in the 2017 independence referendum. The sentences sparked widespread protests and international condemnation.
• In October 2020, the Catalan government announced plans to hold a new independence referendum, which was met with opposition from the Spanish government and the European Union.
• In November 2020, the Spanish government approved a new law aimed at preventing Catalonia from holding an independence referendum. The law gives the central government the power to veto any referendum held in the region.

Recent News Articles:

• "Catalan separatists sentenced to prison in Spain" (BBC News, September 27, 2020)
• "Catalonia's independence movement: What's next?" (Al Jazeera, October 2020)
• "Spain approves law to block Catalonia independence referendum" (The Guardian, November 2020)
• "Catalonia's independence movement: A timeline" (The New York Times, November 2020)

Key Players:

• Carles Puigdemont: The former President of Catalonia who led the independence movement and was sentenced to prison in 2020.
• Quim Torra: The current President of Catalonia who has been a key figure in the independence movement.
• Oriol Junqueras: A former Vice President of Catalonia who was sentenced to prison in 2020 for his role in the independence movement.
• Artur Mas: A former President of Catalonia who was convicted of disobedience for holding an independence referendum in 2014.

Background:

• The independence movement in Catalonia has its roots in the 19th century, but it gained momentum in the 2010s as the region faced economic and political tensions with the rest of Spain.
• In 2017, the Catalan government held an independence referendum, which was declared illegal by the Spanish government. The referendum resulted in a majority vote in favor of independence, but the Spanish government responded by imposing direct rule on Catalonia and arresting several high-ranking officials.
• Since then, the independence movement has continued to grow, with many Catalans calling for independence from Spain. However, the movement has also faced opposition from many Spaniards who oppose independence and see it as a threat to the country's unity.